Apparatus for throwing lightweight balls and the like

ABSTRACT

A machine for automatically feeding and continuously pitching lightweight balls at regular intervals in the same general direction. The machine utilizes the principle of a continuously revolving member that is temporarily restrained in its movement so that energy is built up and retained by said member, which energy is subsequently released to project the ball.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Clayton W. Chalupsky [56] References Cited Cedar p Iowa UNITED STATES PATENTS P 791710 2,660,157 11/1953 Binks 1. 124 7 2 660 15s 11/1953 Binks 124/7 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [73] Assignec Norman 5, Wooldrig Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examinerwilliam R. Browne Att0rneysHaven E. Simmons and James C. Nemmers (54] APPARATUS FOR THROWING LIGHTWEIGHT ABSTRACT: A machine for automatically feeding and conalms "wing tinuously pitching lightweight balls at regular intervals in the (52] US. Cl 124/26, same general direction. The machine utilizes the principle of a [24/36, 124/49 continuously revolving member that is temporarily restrained [51] Int. Cl F41!) 7/00 in its movement so that energy is built up and retained by said [50] Field of Search 124/16, 36, member, which energy is subsequently released to project the ball.

PATENTED JULPO r9?! FIG FIG 2 [N VISN'I QR CLAYTON W. CHALUPSKY ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR THROWING LIGHTWEIGHT BALLS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The prior art discloses a number of machines which are capable of pitching heavy objects such as regulation baseballs, but because of the energy required to pitch such objects, any machine capable of repeatedly generating the force necessary to project them becomes quite complex and relatively expensive. The prior art also discloses machines for propelling lighter objects such as tennis balls, but these machine are relatively complex and a number of them must be manually operated. Moreover, prior art machines do not provide a simple way of absorbing the excess energy that is released to propel the object, nor does the prior art disclose any apparatus capable of continuously projecting or propelling a lightweight ball or other object which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and sell. If a ball-pitching apparatus could be inexpensively produced, there would be a considerable market for it, not only as an amusement device, but also as an aid in practicing tennis, baseball batting practice, etc. It is further obvious that the principles of projection employed in a simple apparatus could be used for many other applications in the toy and amusement field and other areas where a lightweight object is propelled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Applicants apparatus utilizes the principle of a rotating or revolving member which strikes an abutment in its path of rotation thereby temporarily restraining further movement of the member while the driving means to which it is operatively connected continues to rotate. When the propelling member thus is restrained, potential energy is stored which can be subsequently released and utilized to propel the object. In order to practically use this principle, however, it is necessary that the means connecting the propelling member to the driving means permit limited relative movement between them. If this relative movement is not provided for, excessive stress from reverse torque will be applied to the driving means upon release of the energy thereby causing undue wear and possible premature failure in the drive line or power source. Of course, if a power source and drive train strong enough to absorb such stress is utilized, provision for such relative movement may not be necessary, but greatly oversizing the power source and drive train increases the cost of the apparatus excessively and decreases the commercial potential of such apparatus. In applieants invention, an adequately sized power source and power train are utilized at a cost which keeps the cost of the total apparatus within a reasonable range. Moreover, the relative movement between the propelling member and the driving means increases the propelling force. Relative movement between the propelling member and the driving means can be provided in several very simple ways when the teachings of applicants invention are employed. Thus, an extremely simple and inexpensive apparatus can be produced which is capable of propelling lightweight objects continuously and automatically over a relatively long life span.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is top or plan view of an apparatus for propelling lightweight objects which embodies the principles of my invention, a part of the housing being broken away to show details of the propelling mechanism;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the discharge side of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view, partly in section, and showing details of the connection of the propelling member to the driving means;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view showing a second embodiment ofa drive mechanism employing the principles of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a further embodiment of a drive mechanism embodying the principles of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 and 5 but showing a still further embodiment of a drive mechanism incorporating the principles ofmy invention; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 and showing yet another embodiment ofa drive mechanism incorporating the principles of my invention.

The principles of my invention, as well as further objects, advantages and features thereof, will be readily apparent from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with said drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring first to FIGS. I and 2, the particular embodiment shown is an apparatus for mechanically pitching lightweight objects such as hollow plastic baseballs. The illustrated embodiment is thus one application for utilizing the principles of my invention. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the ball-pitching apparatus includes an outer housing 10 which is shown as a single piece of material formed somewhat in the shape of a U with the top edge 12 inclined from the uppermost point 13 along the input side 14 of the apparatus to the lower most point 15 along the discharge side 16. Positioned between the input side 14 and discharge side 16 of the apparatus are two partitions or divider plates 18 and 20. The front, top and bottom edges of partitions 18 and 20 coincide with the respective edges of side 14 and partitions 18 and 20 are preferably positioned parallel to each other and parallel to the sides 14 and 16 of the housing 10. The partition 18 is spaced from the input side 14 a sufficient distance to permit the free linear movement within said space of a ball 22 or other object to be propelled. Similarly, the partition 20 is spaced from the discharge side of 16 of the housing 10 a distance to also permit the free linear movement of ball 22 therebetween. As will be evident from the description hereinafter, the partitions l8 and 20 in cooperation with the sides 14 and 16 of the housing 10 assist. in guiding and confining the balls 22 along a defined path from the input to the discharge end of the apparatus.

The housing 10 and the partitions 18 and 20 are rigidly held together in the desired spaced relationship by he use of spacers 24 through which extend bolts 26 or other suitable fastening means which draw the partitions and housing 10 together against the spacers 24.

Supported by bolts 26 within the space formed between the input side 14 of housing 10 and the partition 18 and continuing around the U is a ball feed rail 27. From the point of termination of feed rail 27 and continuing through the space between the discharge side 16 and partition 20 are a pair of parallel feed rails 28. Rails 27 and 28 are inclined downwardly from a point near the uppermost point 13 on the input side 14 to the lowest point 30 on the discharge side 16. Balls 22 will therefore roll freely by gravity from the: input side around the U" and into the discharge side. The rails 27 and 28 can be positioned by utilization of the same bolts 26 and spacers 24 which retain the housing 10 and partitions I8 and 20 in assembled relationship.

If desired in a particular design, the input path could be located above, rather than alongside of, the discharge side, the balls dropping by gravity from the input to the discharge side at the rear of the apparatus.

In the embodiment shown, the rails 27 and 28 are inclined to a low point 30 along the discharge side 16 of the apparatus. At this point 30 the rails 28 curve upwardly to form an abutment 32 which serves as a stop to prevent the balls 22 from further gravity movement. The rails 28 continue beyond the stop 32 into a relatively flat portion which is preferably slightly inclined upwardly to provide a projecting or propelling station 34.

From the description thus far, it will be evident that a plurality of balls 22 can be placed in the apparatus along the feed rails 27 and 28 between the stop 32 and the extreme end on the input side 14. It will be further evident that if a ball is moved beyond the stop 32 into the propelling station 34 that the following balls will move up until the ball next in line strikes the stop 32. Thus, as long as one or more balls 22 are placed in the apparatus, a ball will roll to stop 32 and be in position to be fed into the propelling station 34, as described more fully hereinafter.

The mechanism for propelling the balls 22 is an extremely simple one and is partly shown in detail in FIG. 3. A propelling member 36, which in the first embodiment is a flexible rod, is operatively connected to a drive shaft 38 through a hub 40. When the apparatus is' in use, the drive shaft 38 is continuously rotated by connection to a power source such as electric motor 42 (see FIG. 1) which is mounted between partitions l8 and 20. Since electric motors generally operate at speeds in excess of what is desirable for rotation of the rod 36, a suitable gear train (not shown) can be provided to reduce the speed of the rod 36 to a desired level. As best seen in FIG. 3, the hub 40 consists of three parts, a main portion 44 which is affixed to the drive shaft 38 in any suitable manner, a resilient portion 46 and an end portion 48. The resilient portion 46 is made of a suitable material, such as rubber, so that the rod 36 capable of movement with respect to the drive shaft 38. The rod 36 is inserted into an opening extending transversely through the resilient member 46, and a pair of fasteners 50 extend axially through the end portion 48 and the resilient portion 46 and into the main portion 44 of the hub 40. When the fastening members 50 are tightened, the resilient portion 46 will be squeezed between the end portion 48 and main portion 44 thus holding the rod 36 in place so that it will rotate as the drive shaft 38 is driven while still permitting the rod 36 to have a limited amount of movement relative to the drive shaft 38 due to the resiliency of the portion 46.

As previously indicated, the rod 36 is flexible but it also must have a considerable amount of rigidly. The rod 36 extends radially outwardly from the hub 40 a distance sufficient to engage a ball 22 resting on the feed rails 28 against the stop 32. The motor 42 and drive shaft 38 are mounted on the partition plates 18 and at a position so that the drive shaft 38 is beneath the propelling station 34, slightly ahead of the stop position 32, and generally transverse to the feed rails 28. Thus, as the rod 36 rotates with drive shaft 38, it will move up between the feed rails 28 and engage a ball 22 resting on the rails at the stop 32. Since the ball 22 is restrained from lateral movement by the parallel rails 28 assisted by the partition 20 and the housing discharge side 16, the rod 36 will move the ball 22 upwardly as it continued to rotate. The ball 22 will thus be moved up into the propelling station 34. It is obvious that if the rod 36 were allowed to freely continue its rotative movement, the ball 22 might be moved out of the propelling station but little velocity would be imparted to the ball. Therefore, there is provided in the path of rotation of the flexible rod 36 at a point above the propelling station 34 an abutment or deflector pin 52. The position of the rod 36 in hub 40 is adjusted so that the outer end of rod 36 just engages the deflector pin 52 and temporarily restrains further movement of the rod 36 while the drive shaft 38 continues to rotate. The rod 36 will thus flex and the resilient portion 46 of the hub 40 will give storing potential energy in the drive mechanism until I such time as the rod has flexed a sufficient amount to slip beneath the deflector pin 52. When the rod 36 bypasses pin 52, the potential energy will be released, and the ball 22 which has previously been lifted from the stop 32 into the propelling station 34 will be propelled at a relatively high velocity out of the apparatus along a path determined primarily by the incline of the feed rails 28 within the propelling station 34.

Obviously, when this energy is released, much of it is utilized to propel the ball from the apparatus. However, some of this energy must be absorbed by the propelling mechanism. If the rod 36 is connected rigidly to the drive shaft 38, considerable reverse torque will be exerted upon the drive mechanism which can cause it to fail, particularly after repeated operation. However, the resilient portion 46 of hub 40 permits relative movement between the rod 36 and the drive shaft 38 and the excess energy will be absorbed so that little or no stress is placed upon the driving mechanism itself. This feature is extremely important since it avoids oversizing the drive mechanism in order to resist the stresses, which would add considerably to the cost of the apparatus and thereby decrease the marketability of the apparatus.

With the motor operating continuously, the flexible rod 36 will be rotated continuously at the selected speed. As long as balls are in the apparatus, a ball will always move into position against the stop 32 as the ball ahead is lifted into the propelling station 34. Each ball will in turn be automatically fed into the propelling station 34 by the rod 36 as it rotates through each revolution. If a compact design is not necessary, the balls could be fed from directly above the propelling station 34, and lifting of the ball by rod 36 would, thus, not be necessary. Either design eliminates the necessity of an elaborate feed mechanism, which might be required if the rod had to be retracted and released during each cycle. However, since rod 36 continuously revolves, this eliminates the problem of avoiding interference with the next ball as the rod is retracted.

If desired, a protective shield 54 can be affixed to the partition 20 to assist in supporting the deflector pin 52 and also to minimize possible injury by the user particularly by getting his face in a position where it might be struck by the rod 36.

in the embodiment of the propelling mechanism described above, it is obvious that the rod 36 must possess certain qualities. The rod, of course, must be resilient with a considerable amount of rigidity, and it must also have good memory" or ability to return to its initial condition. In addition, the rod 36 should have high fatigue strength so that it will have a relatively long life. The design of the hub 40 is also important. The position of the rod 36 can be very simply adjusted and replaced if necessary by merely loosening the fastening means 50 to free the rod. The resilient portion 46 should be ofa highfriction material to resist excessive twisting, but the material should also be sufficiently resilient to absorb the shock when the potential energy is released and thereby minimize the reverse torque on the motor and drive train. The resiliency of the portion of 46 of the hub 40 also will store a certain amount of the potential energy and thereby assist in propelling the ball when the energy is released.

Although the embodiment which has been described performs quite satisfactorily, there are other ways of achieving the same results while utilizing the principles of the invention. In FIG. 4 there is shown another mechanism which will serve the purpose of storing potential energy and releasing the energy in order to propel a ball while still minimizing the reverse torque applied to the drive mechanism upon release of the energy. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, parts corresponding to the first embodiment will be referred to by use of the same reference numeral followed by the letter a." All that is shown in this embodiment is the propelling member and its operative connection to the drive shaft, the remaining portion of the apparatus being similar to that described with reference to the first embodiment. In this second embodiment, the propelling member is a rigid rod 36a. The rod 36a is pivotally connected at 55a to a mounting member or bracket 56a which is in turn affixed to and rotatable with the drive shaft 38a. The rod 36a is pivotally connected to the bracket 56a at a point 55a radially outwardly from the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 38a. Affixed to the rod 36a between its ballengaging end 580 and its pivot point 55a is a spring 62a or other resilient means. The other end of the spring 62a is suitably affixed to the bracket 56a as shown. There may also be provided within the spring 62a a rubber stop member 62a, and the spring will bias the rod 36a is in its normal relaxed condition. The rod 36a extends slightly beyond the pivot point 55a in the direction opposite to the ball-engaging end 58a and terminates in a stop end 64a which is axially offset so that the ball-engaging end 580 will bypass the deflector pin 52a during rotation of rod 36a. Note that in this embodiment deflector pin 52a is located beneath the drive shaft 38a. This permits the rod 36a to be shorter and thus a smaller radius of rotation than in the first embodiment since it does not need to extend beyond the ball to engage the deflector pin. Thus, the apparatus will be more compact.

As the drive shaft 38a rotates in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 4 and the rod 360 revolves with it, the rod will lift a ball 22 into the propelling station 34 as in the first embodiment. Then, as the drive shaft 38a continues to rotate, the stop end 64a of the rod 361: will strike the deflector pin 22a and restrain further movement of the rod 36a. However, the drive shaft 380 will continue to rotate carrying with it the bracket 56a thereby tensioning the spring 62a. When restrained, the rod 36a will, of course, pivot relative to the bracket 56 a, and the pivot point 550 will move away from the deflector pin 52a as rotation continues, carrying with it the rod 36a. As rotation continues, the stop end 6400! rod 360 will slip by the deflector pin 52a at about the time the spring 62a has been stretched to its maximum. When this occurs, the potential energy stored in spring 62a will be released to propel the ball 22 outwardly from the apparatus. The spring 620 and stop 660 (if used) will absorb the shock and minimize the reverse torque on the drive mechanism.

In FIG. 5 I have shown a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 4. In describing this embodiment, reference numerals for components corresponding to those of the first two embodiments will referred to by the use of the same reference numeral followed by the letter In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the deflector pin 52 b is located beneath the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 38b as in the embodiment of FIG. 4. Thus, the rod 36b will short with the ball-engaging end 58b closer to the pivot point 55b while the axially offset stop end 64b extends a distance beyond the pivot 5512. In this embodiment, the spring 62b is affixed to the rod 36b at a point between the pivot 55b and the stop end 64b and will thus be compressed to store the potential energy for propelling the ball. The bracket 56b is provided with a stop 66b on the portion opposite to the connection with spring 62b. In its normal condition, the spring 62b biases the rod 36b against the stop 66b. As the drive shaft 38b rotates in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 5, the rod 36b will revolve with it. The rod 36b will lift a ball into the propelling station, and about the same time the stop end 64b of the rod will engage the deflector pin 52b. Further movement of the rod 36b will thus be restrained while the drive shaft 38b carrying with it bracket 56b continues to rotate compressing the spring 62b. As the bracket 56b continues to rotate, the pivot point 55b will move away from the deflector pin 52b until the rod 36b almost bypasses the deflector pin 52b. At his time, the spring 62b will be compressed to a maximum degree. When the rod 36b bypasses pin 52b, the energy thus stored will be released to propel the ball outwardly from the apparatus, and the stop member 66b and spring 62b will absorb the shock and minimize the reverse torque exerted on the drive mechanism upon release of the potential energy.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated still another embodiment of the invention, this embodiment being similar to the embodiment of FIG. 5 except that the deflector pin is located above the drive shaft similar to the first embodiment. Parts of the mechanism of the embodiment of FIG. 6 which correspond to those of the other embodiments are referred to in the follow ing description with the same reference numeral followed by the letter c. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the rod 36c is pivotally mounted at 55c to bracket 560 which is rotatable with the drive shaft 380. The ball-engaging end 58c of the rod 36c extends a considerable distance beyond the pivot 550 so as to be engageable with the deflector pin 520. The stop end 640 of rod 360 is biased into engagement with stop 660 on bracket 566 by spring 620 which is connected to rod 36c between pivot 55c and the ball engaging end 58c. Thus, with the shaft 380 turning in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 6 and rod 36c revolving therewith, the rod will, as in the other embodiments,

lift a ball into the propelling station. When the end 580 of the rod 36 c engages the deflector pin 52 0, further movement of the rod 360 will be temporarily restrained. However, as the bracket 56c continues to rotate with the drive shaft 380, the spring 62c will be compressed and the pivot point 550 will move away from the deflector pin 520. When the bracket 560 has rotated 21 sufficient amount so that rod 36c bypasses deflector pin 52c, the potential energy stored in spring 62c will be released causing the rod 360 to pivot rapidly under action of the spring 620 and thereby propel the ball outwardly from the apparatus. As in the other embodiments, the spring 62: and stop 66c will serve to absorb the shock and minimize reverse torque on the motor and drive train.

In FIG. 7 there is shown yet another embodiment of the propelling mechanism, which embodiment is similar co the embodiment of FIG. 4 in that tension of a spring is used to store the potential energy for propelling the ball. However, in this embodiment, as in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the deflector pin is located above the axis of rotation of drive shaft. In describing the embodiment of FIG. 7, reference numerals for parts corresponding to parts of the other embodiments will be the same but followed by the letter d. In the embodiment of FIG 7, the rod 36d is pivotally mounted at 55d on the bracket 56d. The ball-engaging end 58d is a sufficient distance from the pivot 55d so as to engage deflector pin 52d, and a spring 62d is connected to the rod 36d between the pivot 55d and the end 64d opposite to the end 58d which engages the deflector pin 52d. As in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a rubber stop 66d may be provided between the bracket 56d and end 64d of rod 36d, stop 66d being preferably located within spring 62d. In operation, as the drive shaft 38d rotates in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 7, a ball will be lifted by rod 36d into the propelling station. As rod 36d engages the deflector pin 52d, thereby temporarily restraining its further movement, the bracket 56d will continue to rotate with the drive shaft 38d placing spring 52d in tension and thus storing potential energy. As the bracket 56d continues to rotate, the end 58d of the rod 36d will bypass the deflector pin 52d and the potential energy stored in spring 62d will be released causing rod 36d to propel the ball outwardly from the apparatus. Again, the spring 62d and stop 66d will serve to absorb the shock of the instantaneous release of the energy and will minimize reverse torque on the motor.

It will be apparent from the description of the above embodiment that I have provided an extremely simple apparatus for automatically propelling lightweight objects such as hollow plastic baseballs. Simplicity is achieved by the gravity feed system combined with a continuously revolving propelling member that propels the ball upon release of the stored potential energy. In some designs, the propelling member also serves to feed the ball into a propelling position. The problems of prior art apparatus of minimizing reverse torque upon release of the energy to propel the object is very simply accomplished by operatively connecting the propelling member to the continuously rotating drive shaft in a manner which permits relative movement between them and permits an opera tive connection containing resilient means that also serves to absorb the shock. Using the principles of the invention, an apparatus can be made and sold at a cost considerably below that of prior art apparatus. Although the cost is greatly reduced, the simplicity and few moving parts of the apparatus contribute to a long useful life. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that there are many revisions, modifications and changes to the specific embodiments shown which can be made without departing from the spirit and scope the principles of the invention as set forth herein, It is my intention, however, that all such revisions and modifications as are obvious to those skilled in the art will be included within the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim:

I. An apparatus for throwing lightweight balls through the air, said apparatus comprising a housing, balls, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, means for continuously rotating said shaft, propelling means revolvably driven through a substantially regular path by said drive shaft as said shaft rotates, means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft in such a way to provide for limited relative movement for storing of energy therebetween, means for feeding said balls into ball-propelling position in said path, and abutment means extending into the portion of said path near which an outer portion of said propelling means passes,

' said abutment means being positioned so as to be engageable by said outer portion of said propelling means as it revolves to temporarily restrain movement of said propelling means while said shaft continues to rotate, said propelling means comprising a rod in engagement with a ball in said ball-propelling position at the same time that another portion of said rod engages saidabutment means, thereby causing energy to be built up in the rod that engages a ball and subsequently released to propel a ball when said another portion of said rod moves past said abutment means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for feeding I said balls includes storage means for a plurality of said balls, and said balls are fed into said path by force of gravity.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said means for feeding said balls includes a stop adjacent to said ball-propelling position for preventing movement of said balls into the propelling position solely by force of gravity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said stop holds a ball in a waiting position that is in the path of said propelling means, and said propelling means revolves about a substantially horizontal axis and engages a ball abutting said stop in said waiting position and moves said ball into said ball-propelling position as said propelling means revolves.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said rod includes a somewhat flexible propelling member operatively connected to said drive shaft, the outer end of said member being engageable with said abutment means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said means operatively connecting said rod and said drive shaft includes a hub affixed to said drive shaft, said hub having a portion that is deformable to a significant degree with respect to the remaining portion of said hub, and said rod is mounted in said portion so that said rod can move relative to said shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said rod and said drive shaft includes a hub affixed to said drive shaft, said huh having a portion that is deformable to a significant degree with respect to the remaining portion of said hub, and said rod is mounted in said deformable portion so that said propelling means can move relative to said drive shaft.

8 The apparatus of claim 6 in which said hub includes a main portion affixed to said drive shaft, and an end portion axially spaced from said main portion and affixed thereto, said deformable portion being positioned and held between said main portion and said end portion and having a radial opening therein, said rod being positioned in the said opening in said deformable portion.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said rod includes a rigid member operatively connected to said drive shaft and engageable with one of said balls when in ball-propelling positlon.

10. The apparatus of claim I in which said means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft include a mounting member affixed to and rotatable with said drive shaft, said rod being pivotally affixed to said mounting member at a point radially outwardly from the axis of said drive shaft, and resilient means interconnecting said mounting member and said rod.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said rod includes a rigid The member engageable with one of said balls when in said ball-propelling position.

12. The apparatus of claim ll in which there is included a resilient stop member with which said rod is engageable after said ball has been propelled thereby to assist in absorbing the reverse torque upon release of said stored energ 13. The apparatus of claim 10 In which said resilient means is placed in tension when said rod engages said abutment means and said drive shaft continues to rotate.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said resilient means is placed in compression when said propelling means engages said abutment means and said drive shaft continues to rotate.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said abutment means is located on the side of the axis of said drive shaft opposite to the propelling position of said ball.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said abutment means is located on the same side of the axis of said drive shaft as the propelling position of said ball. 

1. An apparatus for throwing lightweight balls through the air, said apparatus comprising a housing, balls, a drive shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, means for continuously rotating said shaft, propelling means revolvably driven through a substantially regular path by said drive shaft as said shaft rotates, means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft in such a way to provide for limited relative movement for storing of energy therebetween, means for feeding said balls into ball-propelling position in said path, and abutment means extending into the portion of said path near which an outer portion of said propelling means passes, said abutment means being positioned so as to be engageable by said outer portion of said propelling means as it revolves to temporarily restrain movement of said propelling means while said shaft continues to rotate, said propelling means comprising a rod in engagement with a ball in said ball-propelling position at the same Time that another portion of said rod engages said abutment means, thereby causing energy to be built up in the rod that engages a ball and subsequently released to propel a ball when said another portion of said rod moves past said abutment means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means for feeding said balls includes storage means for a plurality of said balls, and said balls are fed into said path by force of gravity.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which said means for feeding said balls includes a stop adjacent to said ball-propelling position for preventing movement of said balls into the propelling position solely by force of gravity.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 in which said stop holds a ball in a waiting position that is in the path of said propelling means, and said propelling means revolves about a substantially horizontal axis and engages a ball abutting said stop in said waiting position and moves said ball into said ball-propelling position as said propelling means revolves.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said rod includes a somewhat flexible propelling member operatively connected to said drive shaft, the outer end of said member being engageable with said abutment means.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said means operatively connecting said rod and said drive shaft includes a hub affixed to said drive shaft, said hub having a portion that is deformable to a significant degree with respect to the remaining portion of said hub, and said rod is mounted in said portion so that said rod can move relative to said shaft.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said rod and said drive shaft includes a hub affixed to said drive shaft, said hub having a portion that is deformable to a significant degree with respect to the remaining portion of said hub, and said rod is mounted in said deformable portion so that said propelling means can move relative to said drive shaft.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said hub includes a main portion affixed to said drive shaft, and an end portion axially spaced from said main portion and affixed thereto, said deformable portion being positioned and held between said main portion and said end portion and having a radial opening therein, said rod being positioned in the said opening in said deformable portion.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said rod includes a rigid member operatively connected to said drive shaft and engageable with one of said balls when in ball-propelling position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said means operatively connecting said propelling means and said drive shaft include a mounting member affixed to and rotatable with said drive shaft, said rod being pivotally affixed to said mounting member at a point radially outwardly from the axis of said drive shaft, and resilient means interconnecting said mounting member and said rod.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said rod includes a rigid The member engageable with one of said balls when in said ball-propelling position.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which there is included a resilient stop member with which said rod is engageable after said ball has been propelled thereby to assist in absorbing the reverse torque upon release of said stored energy.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said resilient means is placed in tension when said rod engages said abutment means and said drive shaft continues to rotate.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said resilient means is placed in compression when said propelling means engages said abutment means and said drive shaft continues to rotate.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said abutment means is located on the side of the axis of said drive shaft opposite to the propelling position of said ball.
 16. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said abutment means is located on the same side of the axis of said drive shaft as the propelling position of said ball. 